It was a brisk Saturday night at Malvern Prep’s Quigley Field. The student fan section, sporting their spooky Halloween costumes, was in full force ready to cheer on their classmates.
They didn’t have to wait long to start cheering, though. The first half saw a 23-yard field goal by Sixth Former Chris Clark, a safety, a 75-yard touchdown catch and run by Sixth Former Daiyaan Hawkins, and an interception which resulted in a touchdown.
As the Fords’ lead grew to twenty points, the support also grew. Fans of all ages cheered the football team on as it became more evident that a win would ensue.
As soon as the Friars began to score, Clark put an end to the Friar Nation’s optimism. Clark, who will play baseball at Harvard next year, nailed a 50-yard field goal that would boost the morale needed to finish the game. Keep in mind that Cody Parkey missed a 46-yard field goal.
On the mental aspect of kicking, Clark said, “Before a kick I try to not make the moment too big and go through my steps slowly.”
The win over Malvern Prep improves the Fords’ record to 3–1 in the Inter-Ac and 6–3 overall.
The Fords will play Episcopal Academy on EA Day to decide an outright Inter-Ac Championship. The Fords have come a long way this season to achieve this opportunity. From multiple workouts a day in the hot summer combined with studying film and a talented Inter-Ac league, the Fords have shown their adversity when needed. The team started practicing the week of final exams last school year: to say it’s been a journey would be an understatement.
“We’ve all been talking about this day since freshman year, so we’re just excited to play in front of the incredible atmosphere that EA Day always is.”
Ben Murphy ’20
Sixth Former Ben Murphy said, “When it comes down to EA Day, records get thrown out the window, and it’s about who wants it more and who is willing to sacrifice the most to come away with a win.”
“This year is a little more special, though, because whoever wins the game will be the outright Inter-Ac champion,” Murphy said.
Murphy emphasized the fact that the energy level has been fantastic this season regarding both the football team and the student body.
One day, the student body will look back at the zeitgeist of their Haverford careers and remember the fun atmosphere the football team created. Whether it be tailgates, lunch table conversations, or fan gatherings, the football team has brought together the school community in a way unparalleled in recent years. The student body fiercely supports the football team and will do its best to cheer them on for EA Day.
“We’ve all been talking about this day since freshman year,” Murphy said, “so we’re just excited to play in front of the incredible atmosphere that EA Day always is.”
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